John Taras

     John G. Taras, 73, of Erie, PA and formerly of Bentleyville, PA, died Sat., Dec. 22, 2012 at St. Vincent Health Center.  He was born Aug. 22, 1939 in Washington, PA, son of the late John and Flora Bertocci Taras.  A 1957 graduate of Bentleyville High School, John was a road construction equipment operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers where he worked for 50 years and retired in 2000.  He was a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and Glenwood YMCA and was a former member of the Maennerchor and Siebenbuerger Clubs, all in Erie. 
     He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Cursi Taras in 2002 and his daughter, Karla Dziak in 2004. 
     Survivors include his wife, Lucile R. Felton Taras; a daughter, Kristen Zimmer and husband Paul of Willis, TX; a son, John E. Taras and wife Elizabeth of Belchertown, MA; two stepdaughters, Melissa Brown and husband Herman of Waterford, PA and Christine Zimmer and husband Christopher of Erie; a brother, Eugene Taras and wife Lucy of Geneva, NY; and thirteen grandchildren, Lauren Dziak, Jordan and Caitlin Taras, Hannah, Jacob, Sarah, Paul, William and Samuel Zimmer, Briana Snodgrass and Untoma, Alexander and Isabella Brown.
     Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1603 W. 32nd Street, Erie, PA, on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Brian D. Moran will officiate.
     Memorials may be made to the Regional Cancer Center, 2500 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16505.
     Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St., Erie PA.